The prognostic role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in scleroderma associated interstitial lung disease.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has the highest mortality rate amongst rheumatologic diseases [1]. It is characterised by endothelial dysfunction resulting in a small vessel vasculopathy leading to inflammation and fibrosis of skin and internal organs, including the lungs [1]. Pulmonary manifestations of SSc (pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease (ILD)) account for the majority of deaths in these patients, and ILD alone accounts for a third of the mortality observed in SSc patients [2]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.